Time: -7/-6 years pre-canon

Age: 20/21 years old

I should add that it's not 'official' canon that Count Lucio had anything to do with the Apprentice's aunt's passing. It's my personal canon, and if you'd like to use it or discard it, that's up to you.

"She left everything to you," the lawyer said.

Daya stared down at the papers spread across the backroom table. Some were so old they had yellowed and frayed around the edges, and the ink was beginning to fade. Some looked like they'd been written only yesterday. None of them made any sense.

Trust deeds, testaments, inspection certificates, the man had said. He was a lawyer, a legal representative appointed to carry out her aunt's last wishes.

Last wishes. As if that was something so simple to express in mere words.

"Madam Firestone wrote her will some five years ago." The lawyer presented her with a paper stamped with an unfamiliar crest. "She included you as the sole beneficiary. The premises she leaves to you, as well as a sum of money to be held in trust until you reach the age of twenty-five."

"So I won't have to leave," Daya said softly.

"No, miss. This is your home." The lawyer smiled at her, and began to tidy up the stack of papers. "You keep these, I have copies. Take some time to think about your plans, then come to see me."

Daya saw him to the door with something resembling a smile; something which cost her more effort than she cared to admit. Then she returned to the backroom and sat down heavily, staring at the neat pile of documents.

A quick knock on the back door made her jump. Seconds later a whisper of magic rushed over the frame, turning the wood a glowing white.

Daya didn't react. Only one person she knew could pass through the warding spell.

Asra stepped inside, squinting as his eyes adjusted to the low light. His eyes fell on the papers, then on Daya.

"Daya," he said- sighed, she thought, the relief heavy in his voice.

She lifted her head wearily. "Hello, Asra."

He shrugged off his coat, revealing Faust wrapped around his shoulders, and tossed it on a chair. Then he climbed into her lap, pulling her into a hug. Daya rested her head in the crook of his neck and melted into the warmth of his touch, stroking idly at Faust as she draped herself around their shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Daya," he murmured. His hands combed through her hair, so gentle it made her want to cry. "I'm so sorry. I know how much you loved her."

"Don't talk about her. Please." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I can't think about her right now."

"Of course." His arms tightened around her. "What can I do? What do you need from me?"

"Please just hold me. I don't want to think."

Asra pulled back, cupping her cheeks, and tipped her face up.

"You look so exhausted," he murmured. "When's the last time you slept?"

She had to laugh. "Do I really look that bad?"

"Don't be silly. You're beautiful as always, just tired. Have you slept?"

Daya shook her head. "I haven't been able to. It's too quiet. And...I'm afraid."

Asra's white brows drew together in a slight frown, but he didn't ask her meaning. Instead he slipped off her lap and pulled her gently to her feet.

"Go upstairs," he said. "I'll join you after I lock up."

She was so tired she barely remembered falling into bed, and when she next woke it was disorienting. The curtains were drawn, and she could feel Asra pressed up against her from behind. His arm wound around her abdomen, his forehead resting on the back of her neck. She could feel his breath fluttering on her neck, steady and even. Their legs were tangled together, feet bare.

Asra must have felt her stir, for he shifted to let her turn, still nestled in his arms.

"You okay?" he mumbled.

"Mm." She rested her forehead in the crook of his neck, lips pressing his collarbone. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't…" she paused to toy with his necklace, and to enjoy the feeling of his hand tracing circles on her back. "I don't know if I'm ready to run this place by myself."

Asra pulled back a little so he could see her face.

"Didn't your aunt teach you how to run the shop?" he asked, eyebrows raised. "I thought that was why she taught you magic."

Daya's mouth turned down at the corners, and tears welled in her eyes. "I thought that would be years from now. I can't-I don't think I can do it alone."

She didn't want to cry. She hadn't cried in years; not even when she'd seen her childhood home go up in flames, and not since when her aunt took her back to the shop and told her what had really happened to her fathers. But it seemed inevitable now, given the exhaustion wringing her inside out, and the pile of papers in the backroom, demanding more attention than she had the energy to give.

Asra drew her upwards. His thumbs brushed over her cheeks, wiping away the tears.

"You're not alone," he said, and rested his forehead against hers. "You have me, okay? You'll always have me."

"I think something happened to her," Daya said tremulously, curling her fingers in his shirt.

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I came home one night and overheard her reading tarot for someone, after hours." She explained what she'd overheard: the demands of the customer, the cold eyes and blonde hair, and her aunt's fear. When she trailed off into silence, Asra looked angry-and worried. He chewed his lip thoughtfully for a moment, looking away.

"I…" he paused, swallowed, and spoke again. "Count Lucio is known for making things...happen to people. Bad things. I don't know if that happened to your aunt, but…"

Daya worried at her bottom lip, eyes wide. "Do you think he might come back? If he had something to do with ...with what happened...does that mean something will happen to me?"

"No," Asra said sharply. He cupped her face in his hands and gazed at her intently. "Of course not, Daya. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise. Try not to worry about this, or you won't sleep."

Daya closed her eyes with a sigh, her shoulders slumping, and let him draw her back down onto the bed. Her arms tightened around him. "What would I do without you?"

"Probably get into far more trouble," Asra said idly, and she snorted.

They lay there together, limbs tangled, and the tension began to seep out of her muscles. Warmth surrounded her; Asra's arms and his calming aura washed over her, and for the first time in days she finally began to feel safe.